Walking devices



July 20, 1965 Filed Sept. 6, 1962 J. G. INGALLS ETAL ll 2 1 1 H62 .4 H 3 nirfnnnnnilfim.

I 5 INVENTORS 4 4 JOHN G. INGALLS ARNOLD J. HENRY y 20, 1965 J. G. INGALLS ETAL 3,195,550

WALKING DEVICES Filed Sept. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- FIGS INVENTORS JOHN G. INGALLS BY ARNOLD J.HENRY flaw 0 M, Jada mam.

ATTORNEYS' United States Patent 3,195,550 WALKING DEVICES John G. Ingalls, 2534 Larkwood Lane, and Arnold J. Henry, 2509 Seymour Ave, both of Knoxville, Tenn. Filed Sept. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 221,726 1 Claim. (Cl. 135-45) This invention relates to improvements in Walking Devices of the character that combine a crutch with a mobile frame to support the major part of the weight of a person and to facilitate the walking action thereby.

Devices have been proposed heretofore which combine a crutch and a walker, but generally speaking, these have been complex in structure, heavy in weight, and difiicult of adjustment. Frequently, the types of adjustment and positions of the clutch members cause these to be disposed in uncomfortable positions.

One object of this invention is to overcome these objections and to improve the construction of a walker device having crutch elements connected therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide for lightness in weight but with a sturdy frame construction which will enable the person to manipulate the walking device with ease.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for adjustment of the crutch members both inwardly and outwardly relative to each other and vertically to accommodate persons of different sizes and heights, while yet providing for a sturdy construction and secure in position of the parts.

These objects may be accomplished by the provision of a frame structure capable of manipulation by an operator. The frame structure preferably has an access opening for the operator, capable of entrance or exit therefrom.

Mounted on the frame structure are a pair of crutch members disposed upright in substantially parallel relation in positions to engage under the armpits of the user. Provision is made for adjustment of the crutch members inwardly and outwardly from each other, as well as vertically, to accommodate persons of different sizes and heights. These adjustments provide a pair of supports for each crutch member and individual adjustment thereof, so as to assure of sturdy construction.

The invention is illustrated in certain embodiments in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the walking device shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a similar view thereof on enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a detail side elevation, partly in section and showing the mounting for the crutch members;

FIG. 5 is a similar view at right angles thereto; and

FIG. 6 is a detail view, partly in section, showing a modification in the frame structure.

The device comprises a main support frame, which is shown as preferably formed with lower and upper rails 1 and 2 connected together through a plurality of standards 3. The rails 1 and 2 are shown in FIG. 3 to be generall circular in form and to extend throughout somewhat more than a semi-circle, but having an opening in one side of the frame for entrance or exit of the user in the manner that will be evident from FIG. 1.

The standards 3 are disposed preferably symmetrically with respect to the opening on opposite sides of the frame and at the front thereof, so as to distribute the weight uniformly around the circumference of the frame with adequate support for the user. A tubular frame is preferred for this purpose because it provides for lightness in weight.

The frame comprising the parts 1, 2 and 3 is adapted to be moved along the surface, such as a floor or other support. Any suitable or desired type of surface engaging Patented July 20, 1965 ice parts may be used, but we have shown and prefer to employ rollers on which the walking device is moved, which rollers are indicated at 4 and are swiveled on brackets 5 secured to the bottom rail or ring 1.

Secured to the upper rail or ring 2 on opposite sides thereof and symmetrical with the entrance opening in the frame are a pair of crutch supports. In this embodiment of the invention, each of the crutch supports comprises a pair of brackets 6 secured rigidly to the top rail or ring 2 as by means of welding, clamping or the like. The brackets 6 project upwardly from the points of attachment to the ring or rail 2 and have parallel transverse openings therethrough receiving horizontal legs 7 of a pair of upright supports 8. The legs 7 are capable of inward and outward adjustment with respect to the rail or ring 2 and are secured or clamped to the bracket 6 by thumb screws 6 threaded through the sides of the brackets into engagement with the legs 7.

The pair of upright supports 8 have provision for vertica-l adjustment. In this embodiment of the invention, such adjustment is accomplished by telescoped sections of the upright supports which have holes 9 therethrough receiving a tie bar 1t) that extends through aligned holes in the pair of upright supports to secure the latter in adjusted positions. Mounted on the upper end of the pair of upright supports 8 is a crutch member 11 of any suitable or desired form, but mounted at its opposite ends on the pair of upright supports 8;

It will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 5 that the crutch support members 11 that are adapted to engage under the armpits of the user may be adjusted readily inward and outward with respect to each other by loosening the thumb screws 6' and sliding the legs 7 of the opposite supports radially with respect to the upper rail 2. This inward or outward adjustment should be made until the surfaces of the crutch member 11 fit snugly and conveniently under the armpits to support the weight of the body thereon, as needed. Then the thumb screws 6 are tightened to hold these parts in secure adjustment.

Likewise, the crutch supports 11 can be adjusted vertically by removing the tie bolts 10 and slidably telescoping the upright support members 8 with respect to the upper rail or ring 2 according to the height of the user. Again, this adjustment should be such that the crutch support surfaces 11 will fit snugly into the armpits when the persons feet are on the floor in walking position, thereby to support the major part of the weight of the user. When this vertical adjustment has been determined, the tie rod 10 in each support can be reapplied and secured in place. This tie rod also serves to stabilize the pair of support members and to hold these against spreading.

As the person uses the walking device, he will need to grasp rung portions of the frame, such for example, as the portions 12 of the top rail 2 between the brackets 6. If desired, however, the tie rods 10 can be used for this purpose, in which event it may be preferred that they be made somewhat larger relatively than is illustrated in the drawings. Either or both of these may also be padded or covered with suitable material for easy grasping by the hand.

The support frame of the walking device, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, has the parts thereof welded or otherwise permanently secured together. This requires a type of metal tubing that may be welded or otherwise worked to facilitate a rigid connection between the parts. Metal tubing is desirable for light weight.

If a rigid frame structure is not desired, but on the contrary, one is needed which will permit of disassembly for packing and shipping, this may be accomplished according to the modification of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6. In that event, the bottom rail is made sectional, as indicated at 21, and the top rail 22 is also made 1 V 7 s,195,55o

sectional. The upright connecting members 23 are'detachably connected with the rails 21 and 22'throught coupling members 24 and 25. Each of these coupling members is rigidly attached to the sections of the rails 21 and 22. One end of theconne-cting member 23 extends 7 into a tubular socket 26 in one side of the coupling member 24 in which it is anchoreddetachably, as by means of a thumb screw 27 threaded through opposite sidesof the socket 26 and through an end portion of the connecting member 23. The opposite end of the connecting member 23 may be-threaded into a threaded socket 28 in a side of t It may also be possible to the connecting member 25.

provide for disassembly of the frame, by, using continuous bottom and top rings 1 and 2, with fittings detachably mounted thereon and fixed to the upright rods or standards 3. These fittings may rbe secured to the rings by wing screws or by welding. In either way, the parts may be disassembled for packing and shipping and yetxwhen assembled form a sturdy, rigid frame structure;

The assembly, as disclosed, has great strength in weight for ease of handling and tofacilitate' walking.

By grasping opposite sides of the upper rail 2, as in the hand hold portions -12, the guidingtof the device may be accomplished efiectively.

The crutch members 11 should be adjusted both vertically and radially of the support frame for relative ease and comfort, and with secure support of the person; This adjustment will accommodate the user with the desired degree of pressure of the feet on the floor 'for manipulation of thefeet if desired. The pair of supports for each crutch member assures effective support without danger of turning or twisting out of place. Y 3

While the invention has been illustrated and described for effec tive support of the person using the'sa-me and yet is light 1 of the frame and at least a pair of said rods spaced apart at each opposite side of-the frame, a pair of crutch members disposed on opposite sides of the frame adapted to engage under the arms of the person, an upright support for each crutch member, means'for securing said crutch members in diiterentadjusted positions-with respect to the uprightsupports, horizontal leg sections connected with each upright support and extending outwardly in overlapping relation with the top rail intermediate the pair of upright rods atthe'sides of the frame, and clamping means for adjustably'securing the horizontal leg sections to the top rail, and in adjusted position relative to said top rail, said clamping means compr-ising a pair of clamps in'certain embodiments, it is recognized that variations and changes "may be madethere'in without departing from the invention, as set forth in the claim, I

intermediate said'pair of upright rods having bores for slidably receiving said horizontal leg sections, releasable locking means for releasably locking any intermediate portion of the'horizon'tal leg sections within said bores and means fixedly connecting the clamps to said top rail. 7 References Cited by the Examiner r .UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/,24 Hughes 135-49 1,917,440 7/33 Finkbeineretal. 135--45 2,362,466 11/44 ,Carter- 13s "2,855,024 10/58 Robb 13s 45 V 'FOREIGN'PATENTS 345,114 4 Switzerland.

HARRISON R. MOSELBY, Primary Examiner. BENJAMIN BENDE'I'YI, Examiner. 

